The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) held a special event at Khalifa International Stadium to mark International Volunteer Day 2020.

Held under the theme ‘Together, we can achieve more’, the event paid tribute to the thousands of volunteers who have helped the SC deliver a range of milestones in recent years, including stadium inaugurations and Qatar 2022 test events. More than 600 volunteers attended the event, which included a football tournament, interactive games and performances from a local band. Also in attendance were SC ambassadors Adel Khamis and Mohamed Sadoon Al Kuwari.

During his opening remarks, H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, emphasised the important role volunteers will play in successfully delivering the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East and Arab world, which will be in full swing exactly two years from now.

“What makes a tournament really successful is you,” said Al Thawadi. “All the effort that goes into successfully organising a tournament is one thing, but the measure of success is yourselves. We’ll always be grateful for you being here and we hope to continue to ask you to generously offer us your time, effort, commitment and feedback so that with less than two years to go, we’ll be able to successfully host a historic event – the first Middle Eastern, Arab World Cup.”

Nasser Al Khater, CEO, FIFA World Cup 2022 LLC, said: “Volunteers are the heart and soul of any event because volunteers can make or break an event. It’s a great joy to have you all with us as you are all ambassadors for the World Cup and you will be ambassadors for the volunteers who will come to Qatar from all over the world in 2022. You are our original volunteers – the ones that started this – and we hope that you continue this journey with us.”

Sixty volunteers took part in the four-team football tournament. The winners were ‘Team Together’, with player of the tournament going to Ali Sayed. The fair play, respect and communication award was given to Quali Messaoudi of ‘Team Amazing’, while the team player award was won by Gloria Kwalbe of ‘Team Qatar’.

Kwalbe outlined why volunteering is an important part of her life.

She said: “As part of my social responsibility to Qatar which has supported me in many ways, I have resolved to continue contributing by volunteering. For me, volunteering means appreciation, unity, development and empowerment.”

Another volunteer, Ali Shan, said: “Qatar is hosting this huge tournament and I am so happy and excited to be part of this event. For me, this will be an opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, experience an exchange of cultures and last but not least, to watch live football matches.”

The SC launched its volunteer programme in 2018. More than 250,000 have registered their interest in volunteering for the tournament. Click here for further information on becoming a Qatar 2022 volunteer.